CorzNso.—On a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 111 
you and almost all colonists of to-day could never expect to find; on the 
contrary, you would, I am inclined to believe, look for the very opposite. 
It is, the very large number of their proverbs inculeating industry (both of 
man and woman, chief and slave); their giving undivided attention to the 
regular planting and harvesting of their crops ; in favour of perseverance, 
patience, and endurance; the preference of peace to war; the praise of 
hospitality and kindness, of deliberation, counsel, and prudence; sound 
advice to women and to children—to the young men in the taking a wife, 
and to young women in taking a husband; their openly exposing (even by 
name !) the mean and stingy conduct of their own greedy, inhospitable, and 
unkind chiefs ;—also, all cowardly and rash conduct on their part; and 
against ill-manners, rudeness, and ill-temper ; against laziness, begging, 
gluttony, slander, grumbling, and lying ; the complaining of trifles and of 
weariness at work or in travelling. I repeat, I can well imagine you would 
. quite expect to hear the contrary to all this. Those sayings of theirs—once 
*' familiar in their mouths as household words "—are strong indications, 
however, of what the ancient New Zealander really was, and of what good 
human qualities were prized by him. 
Referring again, briefly, to the very wide range of their proverbs, the 
New Zealanders seem to have drawn largely from Nature,—her various 
works and operations ; clearly indicating that he had been not only a very 
attentive natural observer, but well able to make correct deductions; for, in 
addition to those already mentioned, he had proverbs drawn from the 
regular appearances of the stars, planets, and constellations,—from the 
varied seasons of the year,—from the several winds and meteors,—from 
the ever-varying forms and colours of the clouds, and of the rainbow,—from 
the sea, calm and raging,—from tides and currents, rocks and shoals,— 
from fountains, rivers, rain, hail, snow, and ice,—from the weather,—from 
mountains and hills, and from stones, both hard and soft,—from fire and 
smoke,—from cold and heat,—from times of drought, and of floods, and of 
overflowing rivers, and from boiling springs and earthquakes. I have 
attempted to classify them roughly, and I find that:—(1.) From Animals 
(exclusive of Man) he has derived 150 proverbs and proverbial sayings,— 
which may be divided thus,—of Mammals (including the Seals, Whales, 
and Bats), 22;—of Birds (including the largest and the smallest, extinct 
and present species), about 65 :—of Fishes, both sea and fresh-water, about 
80;—of Shellfish and Crustaceans, a dozen ;—of Reptiles and Worms 
about the same number ; and another dozen, or more, of Insects, including 
larve. (2.) From Plants and their uses,—including the largest timber 
trees, and the tiny moss, and seaweeds,—their timber, fruits, edible roots, 
textile fibres, resins, gums, and scents,—upwards of 70. (3.) From Natural 
